World War 1 Centenary Resources
Izard Convalescent Home
Charles Hayward Izard (1860-1925) was a prominent Wellington lawyer and politician who served as a Wellington City Councillor, MP for Wellington North, and a Member of New Zealand's Upper House, the Legislative Council.
Izard was also a major landowner in Upper Hutt. His properties included a spacious country home known as "The Totaras", which was located in Maoribank near the corner of Cruickshank Road. In March 1915 he offered this home, including the grounds and furnishings, to be used as a convalescent home for sick and wounded troops coming home from the front. After a severe outbreak of measles at Trentham Camp this offer was extended to cover whatever hospital purposes the Government saw fit.
Izard was President of the Upper Hutt and District Horticultural Society and a member of the Upper Hutt Bowling Club and the grounds of his house reflected these interests. It had well maintained gardens, tennis courts, and a bowling and croquet lawn to provide rest and recreation for the soldiers convalescing there. The house was equipped with beds for thirty patients under the car of resident nurses.
Late in 1915, the same year as he offered the use of his house to the Government, Izard's only son was to die overseas while on active service.
Further information
"Convalescent Home for Soldiers" Evening Post report 15 March 1915
Wikipedia article on Charles Izard
Patients at Izard's Convalescent Home, Maoribank, 1915 [P3-146-625], Upper Hutt City Library Collection. Photographer: S.S. Cameron
Patients at Izard's Convalescent Home, August 1915. Photograph showing soldier-patients and a nurse on the verandah of Izard's Convalescent Home in Maoribank. The date suggests these are likely to be men confined because of an outbreak of measles at Trentham Camp. A note on the back of the photograph indicates that the "X" identifies "John". Note the lawn bowl lying besides the steps, evidence of the property's nearby bowling green.